Teks -- Ecclesiastes 7:3 (NET)

7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

JFB: Ecc 7:3 - Sorrow

Such as arises from serious thoughts of eternity.

JFB: Ecc 7:3 - laughter

Reckless mirth (Ecc 2:2).

JFB: Ecc 7:3 - by the sadness . . . better

(Psa 126:5-6; 2Co 4:17; Heb 12:10-11). MAURER translates: "In sadness of countenance there is (may be) a good (cheerful) heart." So Hebrew, for "good," equivalent to "cheerful" (Ecc 11:9); but the parallel clause supports English Version.

Clarke: Ecc 7:3 - Sorrow is better than laughter

Sorrow is better than laughter - The reason is immediately given; for by the sorrow of the countenance - the grief of heart that shows itself in the countenance: -

The heart is made better - In such cases, most men try themselves at the tribunal of their own consciences, and resolve on amendment of life.

TSK: Ecc 7:3 - Sorrow // is better // by

Sorrow : or, Anger

is better : Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71, Psa 126:5, Psa 126:6; Jer 31:8, Jer 31:9, Jer 31:15-20, Jer 50:4, Jer 50:5; Dan. 9:3-19; Dan 10:2, Dan 10:3, Dan 10:19; Zec 12:10-14; Luk 6:21, Luk 6:25; Joh 16:20-22; 2Co 7:9-11; Jam 4:8-10

by : Rom 5:3, Rom 5:4; 2Co 4:17; Heb 12:10, Heb 12:11; Jam 1:2-4

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Ecc 7:3 - Sorrow // The sadness of the countenance // Made better

Sorrow either for sin, or any outward troubles.

The sadness of the countenance which is seated in the heart, but manifested in the countenance.

Made better more weaned from the lusts and vanities of this world, by which most men are ensnared and destroyed, and more quickened to seek after and embrace that true and everlasting happiness which God offers to them in his word.

Haydock: Ecc 7:3 - Come

Come. While at birth-day feasts (Genesis xl. 20., and Matthew xiv. 6.) people give themselves up to joy, and cherish the idea of living long. (Calmet)

Gill: Ecc 7:3 - Sorrow is better than laughter // for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better

Sorrow is better than laughter,.... Sorrow, expressed in the house of mourning, is better, more useful and commendable, than that foolish laughter, and those airs of levity, expressed in the house of feasting; or sorrow on account of affliction and troubles, even adversity itself, is oftentimes much more profitable, and conduces more to the good of men, than prosperity; or sorrow for sin, a godly sorrow, a sorrow after a godly sort, which works repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of, is to be preferred to all carnal mirth and jollity. It may be rendered, "anger is better than laughter" ^h; which the Jews understand of the anger of God in correcting men for sin; which is much better than when he takes no notice of them, but suffers them to go on in sin, as if he was pleased with them; the Midrash gives instances of it in the generation of the flood and the Sodomites: and the Targum inclines to this sense,

"better is the anger, with which the Lord of that world is angry against the righteous in this world, than the laughter with which he derides the ungodly.''

Though it may be better, with others, to understand it of anger in them expressed against sin, in faithful though sharp rebukes for it; which, in the issue, is more beneficial than the flattery of such who encourage in it; see Pro 27:5;

for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better: when the sadness is not hypocritical, as in the Scribes and Pharisees, but serious and real, arising from proper reflections on things in the mind; whereby the heart is drawn off from vain, carnal, and sensual things; and is engaged in the contemplation of spiritual and heavenly ones, which is of great advantage to it: or by the severity of the countenance of a faithful friend, in correcting for faults, the heart is made better, which receives those corrections in love, and confesses its fault, and amends.